Mo. senator proposes check on gov. budget-cutting

The Missouri Constitution allows the governor to control the rate appropriations are spent and to reduce spending when state revenues are less than the estimate upon which the budget is based.

Republican Sen. Ryan Silvey, of Kanas City, has proposed a constitutional amendment that would exclude spending through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education from that budget-trimming authority. A constitutional amendment would require a statewide vote if it passes the Legislature.

Some funding for K-12 schools was included in Gov. Jay Nixon's spending freeze last year because of concerns the Legislature would override his veto of a tax cut. That funding has since been restored.